White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to depart from her position by the end of the month, announced U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This departure leaves the president without one of his key advisors as the midterm elections in November approach.
Leavitt will transition to the role of an external communications advisor and party strategist, contributing to shaping the future direction of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, as stated by both Leavitt and Trump. In a recent social media post, the 28-year-old Leavitt expressed her desire to dedicate more time to her young children. Following the birth of her second child in May, she had been on maternity leave.
Trump commended Leavitt’s leadership in the White House, emphasizing her exceptional advocacy for justice, liberty, and freedom since 2018, including her significant contributions to the 2024 re-election campaign. Describing Leavitt as one of the most outstanding White House Press Secretaries in history, Trump praised her accomplishments.
Leavitt reflected on her tenure at the White House as “the honor and adventure of a lifetime.” She initially joined Trump’s 2024 campaign and later transitioned to the role of White House press secretary. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the youngest person appointed to this position.
No specific details were provided by Trump regarding Leavitt’s replacement in this prominent role. Harrison Fields, Trump’s former principal deputy press secretary, lauded Leavitt’s unique ability to effectively communicate Trump’s message to the media, tailoring her approach to resonate with the president’s audience.
During her time in office, Leavitt, alongside White House communications director Steven Cheung, significantly altered the administration’s interactions with the media. This shift, which received mixed reactions, included the administration hand-selecting journalists to have access to the president, departing from the traditional system managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Furthermore, the press office under the Trump administration introduced a designated “new media” seat in the briefing room, offering increased visibility to podcasts, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms in the presidential coverage landscape. While some viewed this as a progressive adaptation to the evolving media environment, others criticized it as a potential tool for rewarding favorable press coverage.
This transition in White House press operations under Leavitt’s stewardship reflects a strategic evolution in media engagement during her tenure.